Improvement in devices for forming fulcrum-seats in piano-keys



L. D. WEBBER & S. M. COMSTOCK.

DEVICE FOR FORMING FULCRUM SEATS IN PIANO-KEYS. No.172,ZZZ. PatentedJan.11,1876.

N. PETERS, FHOTO-UTHDRAPNFR. WASHINGTON D v UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

LORENZO D. WEBBER AND SAMUEL M.- COMSTOCK, OF CENTRE BROOK, CONN,ASSIGNORS TO COMSTOCK, CHENEY & CO., OF SAME PLACE.

IMPROVEMENT IN DEVICES FOR FORMING FULCRUM-SEATS IN PIANO-KEYS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 172,222., dated January11, 1876; application tiled July 6, 1875.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, LORENZO D. WEBBER and SAMUEL M. OoMsTOoK, both ofCentre Brook, in the county of Middlesex and State of Connecticut, haveinvented a new Devicefor Forming Fulcrum-Seats in Piano-Keys; and we dohereby declare the following, when taken in connection with theaccompanying drawings and the letters of reference marked thereon, to bea full, clear, and exact description of the same, and which saiddrawings constitute part of this specification, and represent, in-

Figure 1, side view; Figs. 2 and 3, longitudinal sections of keys, toillustrate the opera-- tion.

This invention relates to an improvement in the device for shaping thatmortise in keys for pianos and like instruments which sets over thevertical pin to form the fulcrum. This mortise is of substantially theform seen in Fig. 3, the front side being slightly inclined backward,while the rear side is inclined still more, so that the mortise islonger at the top than at the bottom, and so as to allow the free playof the key on the vertical fulcrum-pin. This fulcrum-pin is usuallyconsiderably longer than the thickness of the key, so that it projectsabove the key. It is frequently desirable to raise the key from thefulcrum-pin,- and in order to prevent the lower front side of themortise bearing against the pin, so as to prevent the key being raised,it is cut forward or inclined, and the pin is also slightly inclined.These mortises are usually formed in the board before the keys areseparated, and are done by first boring a slightly-inclined hole, a,Fig. 2, and then enlarging the hole from above, as seen in Fig. 3.

The object of this invention is to construct a convenient holder for theenlargingtool, so that it may be properly set over the perforation, andserve as a guide for the tool as well as a lever to withdraw it; and theinvention consists in a stock constructed with a handle at one end, andhung upon a fulcrum at the other, combined with the enlarging-tool setthrough a mortise in the stock.

A is the stock, its rear end hung in a fulcrum-block, B, the otherforming a handle, C, by which to conveniently raise and lower that endof the stock. Through a mortise in the stock the enlarging-tool D isset, and inclined backward, so as to stand nearly in the :arc of acircle, of which the fulcrum B is the center. This tool D is inclined toa point on the front and rear edges, but both inclining backward, thefront less than the rear, and corresponding to the form required for themortise, and the tool is also provided with a suitable head, E, uponwhich it can be struck.

The operator, taking the handle C in one hand, places the fulcrum uponthe board in line with the perforationiwhich is to be enlarged, and soas to bring the tool D over the perforation; then, lowering the stockonto the board, he strikes the head of the tool D, so as to drive itthrough the perforation, and enlarge the mortise to the shape required;then, to withdraw the instrument, simply lift the handle as denoted inbroken lines.

In order to more perfectly dress the front side of the mortise, thefront edge of the tool is constructed with teeth, so as to work like abroach, and thereby smooth and shape the front side, while the wood onthe rear will be forced or compressed into shape.

We claim- The combination of the stock A, constructed with the handle C,and hung upon a fulcrum'block, B, at the other end, with theenlarging-tool D set through a mortise in the said stock, substantiallyas and for the purpose described.

LORENZO D. WEBBER. S. M. COMSTOCK.

Witnesses SAMUEL GRISWOLD, ELLIOTT B. OoMsTocK.

